The NHS Constitution

The NHS belongs to the people. It is there to improve our health and well-being, supporting us to keep mentally and physically well, to get better when we are ill and, when we cannot fully recover, to stay as well as we can to the end of our lives.

 

It works at the limits of science – bringing the highest levels of

human knowledge and skill to save lives and improve health. It

touches our lives at times of basic human need, when care

and compassion are what matter most.

 

The NHS is founded on a common set of principles and values

that bind together the communities and people it serves – patients

and public – and the staff who work for it.

  

This Constitution establishes the principles and values of the NHS

in England. It sets out rights to which patients, public and staff

are entitled, and pledges which the NHS is committed to achieve, together with responsibilities which the public, patients and staff

owe to one another to ensure that the NHS operates fairly

and effectively.

  

Ten things you need to know about the NHS Constitution:

  

1  For the NHS Constitution to succeed in its aims, it needs to

    become part of everyday life in the NHS for patients, the public

    and staff. How are you helping to make this happen?

 

2  The Constitution overarches everything we do – it is not a new,

    separate initiative, but a way of bringing together existing targets,

    policies and strategies.

 

3  All NHS organisations and providers supplying NHS services in

    England, will be legally required to take account of the NHS

    Constitution.

 

4  The Statement of NHS Accountability (produced with the NHS

    Constitution) explains how decisions are taken in the NHS and

    outlines the NHS’ structure and functions.

  

5  Consultation responses led to new rights for patients to:

    • receive recommended vaccinations; and

    • receive information to help them choose where and when they

    would like to receive treatment.

  

6  A draft NHS Constitution (based on extensive evidence and

    research with public, patients and staff) was published for

    consultation on 30 June 2008 which ran until 17 October 2008.

  

7  It is included in a Health Bill currently going through Parliament.

    Once approved, the profile of the NHS Constitution will be

    significantly increased and have far-reaching implications.

  

8  The rights and pledges in the NHS Constitution already exist in law

    or policy.

 

9  It has legal implications for patients and NHS services – all of

    whom will need to be familiar with its content.

  

10 The NHS Constitution outlines what staff, patients and the public

     can expect from the NHS and what the NHS expects in return.

 

It has been developed FOR and BY NHS patients and staff.

 

Further information

 

Click here to read The NHS Constitution

 

Click here to contact our Patient Experience team